Fórsa reiterates commitment to resumption of SEN services

Fórsa reiterates its commitment to the resumption of services to students with additional needs

The union that represents special needs assistants (SNAs) this evening (Thursday) reaffirmed its commitment to the earliest possible resumption of services to school students with additional needs.

Fórsa said that this afternoon’s Dáil statements by the minister for education, and the minister for special education and inclusion, suggested that the Government is willing to work with unions and other stakeholders to make in-school provision for students with special education available as soon as possible, and to urgently progress home-based services in the meantime. If this interpretation is correct, the union said it shared these goals.

The union’s assessment is that this re-engagement would most likely produce a timely and successful outcome if it was conducted on a focused and professional basis rather than through a running commentary in the media.

Fórsa said it would continue to work with the education department towards the resumption of these vital services in the shortest possible time-frame compatible with the safety of students and staff. To this end, the union said it had resumed engagement with education department officials this afternoon.

In a communication to its members earlier today, Fórsa said: “It’s our intention to continue to explore realistic measures to improve safety provision and re-build confidence, just as we were doing prior to the Government’s announcement on Tuesday (19th January).”

It’s our intention to continue to explore realistic measures to improve safety provision and re-build confidence.

It said the union’s assessment was that this re-engagement would most likely produce a timely and successful outcome if it was conducted on a focused and professional basis, rather than through a running commentary in the media.

“SNAs and others working in SEN (special educational needs) provision are more aware than most of the urgent need to begin the resumption of services. It remains Fórsa’s belief that this can and should be done in ways that underpin the safety of students, staff and others during this awful pandemic,” it said.

Fórsa said it would be making no further public comment at this time.